James Costello, of Malden, Massachusetts, who standing near the finish line during the Boston Marathon bombings, was so badly burned that he needed pig-skin grafts on most of his right arm and leg. Two of his brothers and another friend each lost a leg, and other friends suffered serious burns and shrapnel injuries.

But wait, I said HAPPY tears.

After two weeks at Massachusetts General Hospital, James was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, where he first laid eyes on Krista D'Agostino.

"After sharing a handful of conversations I realized not only how beautiful she was but also what a kind heart she had. I somehow convinced her to attend a benefit with me, which turned into a few dates, which turned into a few inseparable months," James wrote on Facebook.

The pair spent part of this month in Europe as part of the all-expense-paid Heroes Cruise—and in Lyon, France, James proposed.

"I'm happy to announce that we will spend the rest of our lives together. I now realized why I was involved in the tragedy. It was to meet my best friend and the love of my life."